KADA CONTRIBUTED 9.5 PER CENT OF M'SIA'S WHITE RICE NEEDS LAST YEAR

KOTA BHARU, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority (KADA) contributed 199,238 metric tonnes of white rice, or 9.5 per cent of the country’s needs last year, rising from 143,773 metric tonnes the year before.

Its chairman, Khalid Abd Samad said the rise reflected the effectiveness of various improvement initiatives, including a more systematic crop management, the more efficient use of agriculture inputs and strengthened infrastructure support.

“It shows KADA’s ability to continue to improve contribution to the country’s rice supply. This year, we aim to reach at least 11 per cent contribution,” he told reporters after the KADA New Year Address for 2026 at KADA headquarters here today.

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Besides the rice sector, 2025 also recorded successes in non-rice sectors with the involvement of 426 participants with allocation of RM73.72 million to develop agro-entrepreneurs under the supervision of the authority, he said.

According to Khalid, KADA will continue to improve rice production capacity through an integrated approach focused on increased productivity, modernisation of agriculture practices, absorbing smart technology as well as sustainable and efficient management of water resources.

The approach not only aims to reduce dependence on imported rice but is a vital foundation in strengthening the national food security sustainably in the medium and long term, he added.

“In efforts to expand rice fields, KADA plans to work on 242 hectares of unused land in Tumpat through partnership with the Kelantan Agricultural Development Corporation.

“We will also conduct rice planting in 60 hectares of land that was tainted with salt water in Kampung Simpangan, Tumpat and identify areas around Machang to cultivate under KADA supervision,” Khalid said.

He expressed hope that the lack of water supply for rice crops during the dry season this year would be overcome by the Kemubu Pump Stations 3 and 4, which are expected to begin operations next month, along with bank reinforcement work and piling improvements. 

KADA also received RM317 million in allocations under the 13th Malaysia Plan to carry out 19 development projects - 18 new projects and the continuation of one project, he said.

The allocation has been strategically planned to support KADA’s mandate to improve the national food chain, in line with the need to raise the resilience of the food system facing uncertain global markets, climate change and geopolitical stresses.

-- BERNAMA